• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Ugly new guitar project!

I guess its no surprise to anyone that I like cheap stuff.  Bang for the buck whatever.  Anyway I love Guitarfetish.com because they are just that bang for the buck.  Recently I purchased a b stock body from them and a neck.  I wasn't really surprised to find the body was a little thin for a stratocaster and they didn't use really good wood on it.  But what I was surprised about was the neck.  I've had several necks from companys like Warmoth, Mighty Mite, and Fender that I've put on varisous projects but they cost me more then $100.  My Guitarfetish neck I just got is equal in quality and I paid $20 for it!  The body is Orange and the neck pocket isn't flat so I'm having to work on it, but I'm a geek and love a challenge!  So here is what I've got.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … M_0365.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … M_0364.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … M_0363.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … M_0362.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … M_0361.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … M_0360.jpg


http://www.guitarfetish.com/Dream-90-Hu … _c_62.html

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Mean-90-Tru … c_131.html

These are the pickups I'm wanting.  I know a lot of you guys are big into playing the expensive stuff, and I used to be into the middle of the road not cheap like I am now, but definately not Custom shop anything.  I simply couldn't justify the cost and not making money at it.  Now I've got kids and I try to play around with anything I can.  So I go cheap so it can hav a lot more fun working on these guitars.  I'm also going to do a black pickguard for now.

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  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Guitar projects are very cool.  I may get up the energy to actually do one myself someday.  Paint is my biggest technical challenge.

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

I painted my last one black with no grain filler so it looked 100 years old!  My friends love it.  This one is for me just wanting a new guitar and not wanting to buy a built guitar for a lot of money.  When this one is all said and done shipping and everything I'll have about $250 to $300 bucks in it.  I could buy a MIM strat but who cares, its all for fun!

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

You will LOVE the Dream 90s a P-90 sound in a humbucker size.
I had these in a Jay Turser Serpent LP I had for years and years... when I sold it, I almost kept the pickups! Had to downsize though hmm

Looking fwd to seeing the completion!
btw... if you need any Squier parts, let me know. I have a box of a bunch of stuff laying around.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Believe it or not this thing is a bit better then squire quality.  I've got a lot of work left to do but so far I've cut the shape of the head stock today during my lunch hour, painted the inside of the cavity with shielding paint, and managed to get the neck to fit in the neck pocket.  The neck pocket isn't level yet so thats my goal for tomorrow.  After that I will transfer the holes to the back of the heel to the neck, and finish the final sanding on the neck.  Paint booth next weekend if its pretty warm out side.  As for the squire parts, I'm good.  I'm fabricating some of these parts myself for this one.  Should be great!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

So my short little update on my ugly guitar project.  I have shaped the headstock and the neck is now finished in vintage amber.  My camera is broken so I can't show you yet, but the neck is beautiful.  the vintage amber built up a lot so its dark looking and has a yellow/orange tent.  It reminds me of a high end G&L neck color.  The rest of my hardware should be here by Friday, and the guitar should be finished by next tuesday.  If so I think I'll make a video of it when I get it finished.

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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Here is some more pictures.  The neck I think really works well with the body color but the neck plate and screws from Guitarfetish must be for something else because take a look at these massave screws that if installed would poke through my fret board!  Won't work!  But the good news is I've got the bridge installed, and tuning keys are basically done except I'm having trouble with the parts sitting flat.  They want to over lap the steel plates so I'm going to have to file the plates a touch to get them to sit flush on the head stock.  The holes for the pickguard are drilled out as well but the pickguard isn't wired yet.  I'm shooting for the guitar to be strung up and operational by monday, but it really depends on if my 5 way switch comes in.  Tell me what you think!

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0020.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0023.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0024.jpg

And for fun check out this old Kay Twelve string I'm working on!
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0017.jpg

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

you might have to put a spacer in there, or make the screws not as long.
those screw lengths are pretty standard. Something is telling me something got made too skinny whether it's you neck or body heel.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Its the body.  I think its about an 1/8th inch thinner over all which make the difference up.  The neck is perfect when you consider it only cost me $20.  I fix the screw issue with new stainless steel screw that were shorter.  The screws are the next size up so I had to drill the holes larger to take them.  The neck is bolted on an all that is left to do is wiring.  I want to post something when its done and after that Ill stop bothering everybody with my not so ugly now project.  Btw what did every body think of that acoustic?

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 175

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Yep neck screws come in two standard sizes ..you need the smaller ones ..although you've worked around it now.

As an aside on the Warmoth contoured heels you need both types just to add to the fun (and to prevent the screws exiting though the fingerboard!)

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Good to know!  Always on the look out for a deal and a new project.  If I come across a contoured heel I'll know what I need before I buy it.  Thanks.  As for the guitar I took a day off from working on it because I need some shop tools to fix a few minor details.  5 way switch sould be in around Wednesday.

dave_5150 wrote:

Yep neck screws come in two standard sizes ..you need the smaller ones ..although you've worked around it now.

As an aside on the Warmoth contoured heels you need both types just to add to the fun (and to prevent the screws exiting though the fingerboard!)

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Ok I know I promised no more post until I was done but for now I am done with this thing until I save up some more money for a few additional parts such as my blender tone control.  So here is the guitar in basically finished form never mind the missing pot.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0237.jpg
Here is a close up of the body
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0239.jpg
Here is a close up on the back.  Notice the GFS Brass Bridge block.  If anybody was wondering if this block is good quality take my word for it, its the nicest feature on this guitar and if I had a reissue American Strat I would replace it with one of these blocks in a heart beat!  $25 bucks for a block!  $30 for the whole bridge!!!
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0240.jpg
Here is the head stock.  Before it was a boat paddle now its close to a strat shape but not quite.  The tuners are Wilkinson vintage tuners that guitarfetish carries and the nut is a Fender LSR Roller nut.  I broke the plastic on trying to remove it to sand on it.
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0238.jpg
Here is the back of the head stock, it had a little bit of an issue with the tuners not fitting correctly but nothing a belt sander couldn't fix.  NO way in hell I was going to plug the holes for the post and redo all that.  The tuners are a little side ways but its mine and I'm only concern was could it hold tune?  For the record it does very well for a floating bridge setup.
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0242.jpg
Last the neck.  It a 2 piece maple neck with a truss rod that I sprayed about 100 coats (exageration) of vintage amber on it.  Its a comfortable 60's C shape with a 9.5 radius on the fret board. 
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … G_0241.jpg

Over all I'm very happy with it.  Its much nicer then I expected it to be.  The guitar is very responsive and bassy.  I love it.  It plays as good as any Fender guitar I've ever had and I've pretty much always setup my own guitars (thank God for the internet and books to figure all this stuff out.)  I know I promised a video and maybe I'll still do one but not today.

Oh and last the controls are a 5 way switch a master volume a master tone and a phase reverse switch, and later a blender pot so I can get the bridge and neck pickups working together or all three...  That said go out and buy a kit guitar they are way more fun then buying a stock guitar!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Looks like it turned out pretty good. Reminds me of the old strat copy Billy Joe played back in the 90's with nothing on the headstock.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Hey for a piano man he wasn't a bad guitar player.  Thanks

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

I meant the guy from Green Day!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Ugly new guitar project!

Lop opps

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